In an effort to increase involvement in the philosophy department, a new organization was established last semester.
The Philosophy Club, which is not limited to just philosophy students, was founded to encourage involvement from all faculty, students and administration on campus.
The club’s president, Kathleen Balwin, is excited about the establishment and invites anyone who has an interest in philosophy to attend the meetings.
“It’s not just academic,” she said. “It’s living and experiencing philosophy.”
In the fall semester, the club’s first two meetings were held to establish a constitution and to fill out the necessary paperwork. The most recent meetings, held this semester, boasted as many as 50 people.
The meetings, which were held in Room 325 in Rogers-Stout Hall, hosted professors who spoke on their interests in philosophy. For them, this takes some getting used to. Baldwin said the professors weren’t interested in talking about themselves.
As a result of the four meetings, the club members have planned a charity concert that will be held on campus. At a time when the area food banks are running low on supplies, the concert will help local organizations get food to those who are in need. A date for the concert has not yet been set.
In addition to the concert, the club has set up aluminum recycle bins on all four floors of Rogers-Stout.
The club has another meeting planned later in the semester. On April 11, Dr. Hugh Lafollette is scheduled to speak. Lafollete, a professor of philosophy at ETSU, will discuss how he became interested in philosophy and what prompted him to pursue a career in the subject. Call 439-4425 or e-mail Baldwin at pathmagi@xtn.net for more information.

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